Apparently, there is a folklore tradition, in Britain and North America, wherein it is very good luck to say "white rabbits" or "rabbits" or "rabbits, rabbits, rabbits!", or any combination of these words three times, on the 1st day of any month. Three's the charm as they say and is always an important component to the success of any spell. They must be your first spoken words upon waking on the 1st day of the month. I've never heard of it before but am going to give it a go this Sunday!

How auspicious is it that the first day of our next month this year (April), is not only April's Fool's Day but also Easter Sunday. Can't get much luckier than that!

There are so many diverse symbolic meanings attached to the rabbit - and often contradictory ones. But if you think of both the prolific nature of bunnies and also the common "trickster" aspect of the rabbit - the above charm makes a lot of sense. It both invites bounty and good fortune for the month ... while at the same time stymieing the possibility of silly tricks those cunning characters might play!

Isn't it charming that many people throughout time have had or carried good luck charms? Four leaf clovers, pebbles and coins - anything really that symbolizes good fortune to the holder.

The four leaf clover is considered lucky because they grow few and far between in any bed of clover. The odds of finding one are stacked against the seeker, so it follows that the finder is inherently "lucky" to spot one.

Any stone can be considered lucky - they are too numerous to mention. But the one I remember most from childhood was the "wishing stone". Usually found by the ocean, the wishing stone is a smooth black rock, with a single white line running in a complete, unbroken circle around it - hold it in your hand and make a wish. A hag or "holey" stone (pictured above) is said to offer the wearer protection -- and sometimes offers a view to unseen worlds. Both are relatively easy to find so I think the magic is less in the finding but rather in the vast symbolism of the circle.....

And of course, lucky coins need no explanation - they are a very tangible symbol of wealth!

By the by, did you hear that Lucky Charms cereal has added a new Magical Unicorn charm to their cereal? The fairies in Meadow Sweet Grove are very excited - it is, quite understandably, their favourite cereal.

Want a fun way to rid yourself of a bad habit this New Year? Why not try a little bit of sympathetic magic. Cut an apple in half, and "pour" in that bad habit, worry or negative feeling right into the apple's core. Put the two halves back together tightly. Tie with string, tape, or anything that works for you. Bury the apple in your back yard.

The reason this works, is because you are consciously identifying the problem, making a choice to remove it from you, and then discarding it into another space. Works best for little things.

While some nursery rhymes and poems are noodle-scratchers that puzzle us and beg to be deciphered ... this one speaks plain and simple. Or does it?​

A spell to charm away the rain:

1st: The wish is clearly stated, "Rain, rain, go away;"2nd: To ensure no curse or unwanted consequence, a caveat is placed, "Come again another day;"3rd: The emotional charge/feeling needed to put heart into the spell is evident - "Little Johnny wants to play."

The whole thing rhymes, is easy to remember and 3's the charm in the amount of lines, intentions ... and ducklings.

​Here's a useful old chant, charm, spell, prayer (you name it!) to recite if you hear a bump in the night! I've seen this poem in so many different versions that I can't credit the author here. But give it a try .... and best to say it three times!

Ghoulies and Ghosties: An old spell

From ghoulies and ghosties, And long-leggity beasties, And things that go bump in the night. Good Lord deliver us!

​Disclaimer: Many of my items are vintage. Please be aware that vintage items will vary with the manufacturing methods available at the time of their production. They are not made at the current standards of manufacturing ... and in my opinion, that is a good thing! They are generally an exceedingly higher quality than today's manufactured items, last much longer and have more attention to detail. However, items do also deteriorate with age and it is up to the customer to decide how they will use each product.